Day 2 - Shopping

I'm sitting in my favorite spot in the hotel room watching everyone try on their purchases from today.
It was a slow start to the morning after a wonderful nights sleep. We woke at about 9am and Nate and I went down to get our free (not really free because we have a resort fee) newspaper and coffee and donuts for breakfast ( healthy right!) then we headed for the shops.

Greg won today's shopping challenge...he saved the most money with his purchases...Bella was second only because she finally listened to what Dad's suggested and bought from the clearance items. Nate bought what was on his list and was very satisfied with his new items and I came last because as mum I put everyone first ( can you hear the violin ?)

We caught the SDX to the outlet mall south today...used the coupon to get the coupon book but most of the coupons we couldn't use because the deals in store were better than the coupons....oh well

We also bought a bright green suitcase...hopefully will see it very clearly on the luggage carousel at the airport.

Broadway Burger Bar was our restaurant choice for dinner tonight, I had the Chicken and Brie with caramelized onions...delicious, one thing I do notice is though, the waitresses are forever asking you if you want a refill...working for that measly tip we give them, as Aussies I'd prefer if they ignore us a bit so I don't feel I have to give them a tip, it's just so strange to us.

Early to bed...early to rise...but 1am is ridiculous, I think that big coffee I had for afternoon tea was a mistake.

BrisVegas to Las Vegas

We are 9/10 the way through our first day of travel.

It's 9am in Los Angeles and we are waiting at LAX to board our flight to Las Vegas, back in Brisbane it's 3 am on Monday morning so no wonder I feel like I'm in a dream...it's almost like I'm in the new mum stage and have sleep deprivation fantasies.

Qantas were fantastic, I am especially impressed that they offer Weiss mango bars for dessert and great little pizzas for midnight snacks, makes me almost glad I didn't sleep and miss out on those little treats. Bella and I had 3 seats between us so we could stretch our long legs out, and every time there was a little turbulence I felt her hand reach for mine...left over feelings from our flight back from Japan when we had a bit of a drop mid air.

The security at LAX is as bad as they say...but not as they portray it on TV. I always find a smile and a cheerful good morning is appreciated with some people and not with others. Taking shoes off and jumpers off and of course the liquids, lap tops and bags all make for very long lines to get through security checks. Ahh well it's all part of the traveling experience. We are just pleased we don't have too many flights this trip.

...next stop Vegas baby.....

Well we made it to Vegas...and boy are we all tired and cranky.

We were all amazed at how long the taxi line was and how quickly it kept moving...it was if we had done the 400 mt sprint by the time we got in the taxi...and we didn't get tunneled either !

We are meeting one of Greg's old sportsco workmates tonight for dinner so we have to stay awake...argggh it's not easy, I'm sitting here thinking this is the sort of town you could go to sleep exhausted at 4pm...wake up at 3am and go out and about for your breakfast or sightseeing without having to wait for everyone else to wake up.

The roller coaster goes by every 10 mins or so but as the sun is setting its makings the windows look extremely dirty so I can't take a sunset shot of the roller coaster . The lights are starting to come on ...Las Vegas night time is starting to twinkle awake, the dirty sidewalk is not looking quite so dirty and the dry arid surroundings are becoming muted grey tones at dusk.

We saw some interesting things on our short walk across Las Vegas Boulevard to Ross Dress for Less...Michael Jackson, a few transformers, a g string clad snake charmer and an Elvis statue that came alive to unsuspecting passers by among others. I also saw a fellow being taken away in handcuffs behind us on the escalators in our hotel...that freaked Bella out a bit and Greg was annoyed that he didn't actually get my meaningful glances as code for " grub in handcuffs behind me" because he was too overwhelmed by fatigue and the sights and sounds of "New York New York" to really take in anything else.

Just sitting here thinking how much more alive it looks when the lights come on.

Getting ready for some California Dreaming

I can't seem to drag myself away from the iPad, iPhone, computer anything that I can find any little piece of information or review on our upcoming holiday.

Our family is going on a two week vacation to the USA...and I am obsessed..tripadvisor...mouse wait....YouTube and even on Facebook they have pages on the hotels we are staying at...I have commented and been thrilled when I get a reply from the hotel staff. I have asked questions on tripadvisor and puffed my chest out with pride when they were answered and not ridiculed.

By the time we actually fly out I'll be sick and tired of the whole thing and be so blasé about all that we see because I would have seen better photos online.

I hope not though...cause I can't wait to try out all my new iPad and iPhone apps especially for the holiday !